Mother Goose Manners Book

Familiar characters from Mother Goose rhymes present lessons in good manners, such as Little Jack Horner remembering that he should have used a fork to eat his Christmas pie. This book is geared for preschool story time and might make a fun beginning reader.

First of all, Mother Goose verse is recognizable. It makes for a comfortable transition text for new readers. However, this book will be a favorite in the preschool classroom despite the lackluster illustrations. Open-ended questions, on the flap, lead children to discover the "answer" in their own terms, opening the discussion door when sharing this book with children. The lift-the-flap surprise variation to the classic Mother Goose verse will reinforce the expectation for appropriate behavior as they continue to read on their own.

Interest Level:
PreK-1nd
Age:
3-7yrs
Genre:
Nursery Rhymes
Subject:
Manners

From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2'Twelve nursery rhyme characters are taken to task in this picture book on decorum. A traditional verse is presented on the left, and the right-hand page questions the action, folding out to reveal a large, colorful spread with a more "polite" scene. "What should Jack have said" when he pulled out that plum with his thumb? "Next time I'll use a fork." Some lessons are silly. For example, the visiting pussycat who frightened the mouse under the queen's chair should have said, "Excuse me, mouse. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you." And when this little pig went to market, the last little pig should have helped carry the packages instead of whining. The color cartoon art contains comical details, but overall the images don't rise above the ordinary. This thin book struggles to serve as an etiquette manual or as comedy.'Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA